Matric dresses donations

BARBERTON – For many matriculants the second most-anticipated occasion in their last year of high school – besides the release of those all-important final results – is the matric farewell.

It is the night these young ladies and gents dream about the entire year, and is usually filled with glitz and glamour.
The build-up starts long before invitations are send out, with fund-raising, finding a date and finally, many hours of shopping for the perfect outfit.

But what happens to the many matriculants who cannot afford to buy or even hire a dress for that special evening?
A local generous young woman has now come to the rescue. Thandeka Mathabela’s (20) project dubbed “Campaign to donate to the matric dance” aims to transform underprivileged girls into princesses for their matric dance.

Mathabela, who matriculated at Barberton Secondary School in 2011 and is currently doing her last year at the South African Designer School in Johannesburg for a diploma in interior design, said she started the project after realising there were many girls out there who could not afford the expenses associated with the matric dance.

Mathabela said this occasion was celebrated just as extravagantly in townships as in wealthier areas. She said this included expensive dresses, hair and make-up styling as well as limousine hire. This puts huge social pressure on the kids to keep up with their peers, not to mention financial pressure on their families to provide for this special day.

“The wonderful thing about this project is that it is all about women sharing with each other which is all the more meaningful due to the fact that for many of these girls, matric represents an added and significant achievement despite difficult circumstances and the promise of a better future. For many young ladies who cannot afford these expenses it becomes a case of rather not going at all than not looking the part. This is damaging to confidence levels and because final exams follow soon after, may have a negative effect on motivation and results,” said Mathabela.

She called on people to donate their old matric farewell gowns, wedding or evening gowns, shoes, and other glamorous attire that may be gathering dust in their cupboards, to the project.
The project in turn will donate the garments to those less privileged teens who dream about looking like princesses for the evening but do not have the financial capacity to do so.

She said if any 2014 matriculant needed an outfit for their upcoming dance, they could send her an email in which they motivate why they needed an outfit. The email should include your full name, your dress size and your contact details – as well as the date of your matric dance. The most deserving matriculants will be considered.

Also those who are able to donate to this cause can contact her via Facebook (zinhlemathabela) or email her on tmathabel@gmail.com.